Commandement Rom. 7.7 23. Jam. 1.14 Gal. 5.17 Q. What is the particular coveting here forbidden A. Discontentednesse with that we have wishing and longing after that which is anothers As when we be not content with that place and condition which we hold in the Family Church or Common-wealth but the heart is still rising wishing woulding after the condition of another as would I were a Master or a Minister or a Tradesman rather then a Minister c. This unquietnesse of the spirit this sicknesse of the desire repining rising and saying within our selves O how well could I live if I had such a field such a Wife such a Servant c. these motions be contrary to that compleat contentment which is here requirey Under this particular concupiscence of the heart coveting that which is anothers all evill motions and desirings of the like kinde are forbidden namely all lustings against the Law of the minde all the rising enmity and Rebellion that is in our nature against the things of the Spirit the suddain passions and perturbations of the mind also the rolling of vain thoughts in the mind as thoughts of pride revenge the moving of the heart towards any evill object though without any setled approbation of the same But tell me Q. Are these thoughts and motions sinfull if we doe not consent unto them nor purpose to put them in practice A. Yes they are The very risings of corruptions within us are sins to be repented of They are as the scum and boiling of the pot the rising of the mud c. A lame horse if he move he will halt in going An instrument out of tune will jarre in the sounding and that is a fault there is something wanting that should be unto perfection so in our very natures there is a jarring and a swerving from the Law of God and that uprightnesse wherein God created man and these swervings are the fruits of sinne and the causes of sinne in us as Jam. 1.14 15. Rom. 7.21 23 24. Gen. 8.21 Eph. 4.22 Q. What say you then of evill suggestions and thoughts that arise in our minds as thoughts of Blasphemy c. are they sinnes A. If they be cast in by Satan Of Satanicall injections and not yeelded unto by us they be Satans sins and not ours To be tempted is no sin for Christ was tempted and had evill thoughts cast into his mind by Satan but to yeeld to the temptation that is our sinne Mat. 4.6 Mat. 16.23 Q. How may it be discerned whether the evill motions doe arise from our own corrupt hearts or from Satan A. Two waies 1. If the motion or temptation he unnaturall that is if thoughts arise which tend to the destruction of our naturall well-being or of our spirituall eternall well-being it is then from Sathan and if we consent not to such thoughts they are not our sins but Satans Perhaps thou hast thoughts to curse God to wish there were no God thoughts perhaps of despaire or to kill ones selfe or others c. these be Satanicall injections for nature loveth it selfe and so doth grace our new and spirituall nature and therefore if we resist and dislike such motions they be not sinne to us Matth. 4.9 Matth. 16.23 1. John 4.3 Mat. 3.28 Q. How else may that be known A. By the manner of their comming if they seaze upon us with terror affrightment suddainly and unexpectedly so that the soule is burdened and groaneth under them willing to be rid of them it is a signe they come from Sathan And such thoughts and tentations are our trials and afflictions but not our sinnes evill thoughts which agree to nature to our dispositions as that of Davids numbring the people and Judas selling his Master though Sathan cast them into our minds and stirre us up thereunto yet they are our sins as well as Sathans Matth. 4.10 Christ had indignation against that motion Q. What doth this Law forbidding all concupiscence informe us of A. Two things First it shewes the infinite purity of Gods Law which requires a conformity to his will not onely in our wils affections and actions but in the very frame and temper of the soule That no evill motions arise against God Q. What secondly A. It shewes the impurity of our nature which is so great that for it alone though we never harboured an evill thought the Lord might justly abhorre us for ever And therefore these inward workings of corruption the untowardnesse contrariety of our natures against God are to be bewailed and crucified if we desire to be sound in repentance Job 15.15 16 Eph. 2.3 Psal 51.5 Ier. 17.9 Eph. 4.22 Rom. 6.6 Rom. 7.21 24. Q. Is every soule bound to make conscience of the Law in forbearing the sins forbidden and doing the duties commanded A. Yes To his power he must keep it all else he is under the Law and not under Christ And consequently must perish for ever Rom. 6.14 Rom. 2.25 Gal. 5.24 Q. Are there besides this Law of God other Lawes and precepts of the Church to be observed of Christians for conscience sake As to observe Saints daies keep fasting daies make confession to the Priest at certaine times in the yeare of all our sins heare Masse upon holy daies Canisius Cat. A. No there is nothing to be added to the written Word of God it being in it self most holy perfect and sufficient to make men wise to salvation Deut. 4. 2. Rev. 22.18 2 Tim. 3.16 17. Man hath no power to make Laws to the conscience civill constitutions they may make for outward orders sake which we are to observe if they be agreeable to the Word of God not otherwise Q. Are there Evangelicall counsels of perfection distinct from precepts which if we keep voluntarily do help forward our salvation and increase our glory As that of poverty single life blind obedience to superiours Canitious Cat. A. No the Lord hath left us a liberty in some things but our choice therein is no part of perfection and other things named for counsels are not left to our curtesy but are duties to be performed as occasion requireth The only service and sacrifice which God accepteth is obedience to his will in his Word and God refuseth whatsoever a man taketh in hand besides Q. Well then there is but one Law under which we stand and the end of that Law is as hath been said to drive us unto Christ Tell me what must we goe to Christ for A. For three things 1. For a mercy to forgive our sinnes 2. For b strength and victory over our sins And 3. for c acceptance of our will for the deed For the Law justifieth no transgressor the Law gives no grace to keepe it selfe the Law accepts nothing but compleat obedience a Rom. 10.4 b Joh. 1.16 2 Cor. 3.6 Gal. 3.2 c Eph. 1.6 Heb. 13.15 1 Pet. 2.5 Q Our faith is unperfect and so is our obedience what is our duty
a carnall man sinne is pleasing and duty a burthen the duties of the Law being brought and pressed on the soule doe shew how hollow and rotten we are which otherwise we should never have mistrusted by our selves Ro. 7.9 9 10 13. Rom. 8.7 Q. What fourth worke of the Law bringeth a sinner to Christ A. It worketh wrath that is it laies the curse upon us it proclaims the judgement of God against us for every sin It curseth every disobedience it tels every soule of us thou art a domned creature c. Ro. 1.18 Rom. 4.15 2 Cor. 3.7 9. The Law is full of rigour 1. It accepts of no obedience but what is every way full and perfect 2. The Law admits of no excuses It accepts of none of our sorrows 3. The Law regards not what we can doe but what we should doe All that be under the Law must doe it or dye This is the case of all that be out of Christ the Law curseth them Q. How fiftly doth the Law drive us unto Christ A. When we see that we are shut up and cannot winde our selves out of Gods wrathfull hands the soul even drowned with sorrow and feare is constrained to goe to Christ upon the invitation of the Gospell The soule does hereupon consult and advise with it selfe what to doe to be saved and so at length resolves to goe to Christ this is one use of the Morall Law viz. to make us see 1. How vile we are 2. How weak we are 3. How wicked we are what enemies to God and goodnesse 4. How cursed we are 5. And so to consult within our selves and to resolve to goe to Christ as that prodigall did Luk. 15.17 18. and those Lepers 2 King 7.3 4. Thus the Law and the Gospell worke together for our salvation it is not in me to save you saith the Law therefore seeke further It is in me to save you saith the Gospell therefore rest in me Act. 2.37 Mat. 11.28 Rom. 8.15 And so the soule is converted and drawn unto Christ by the Gospell being driven from the Law by the Law it selfe CAP. XXVIII Of the second end and use of the Morall Law Q. WEE have seene the first maine use of the Morall Law What is the second A. To be a perpetuall rule of obedience and holinesse Second Use of the Morall Law and it is therefore called the Morall Law Mat. 19.17 Rom. 2.25 Rom. 7.12 Heb. 8.10 1 Tim. 1.5 8. Jam. 2.10 11. The Law shewes us what is good and what is bad Q. Our obedience is but in part here What be the properties of that obedience which God will accept of his servants True obedience what A. 1. It must be a free a loving submitting of the b inward and outward man to the c whole will of God with an intention d and desire to please and approve our selves to him in every thing we doe This is the nature of true obedience a the ground and rule of obedience is the will of God b the creature obeying is the inward and outward man c the manner is free without compulsion d the end and aime of all is to please God not men or our selves and by these properties true obedience is differenced from meer civill honesty restraining grace in hypocrites a Mat. 15.9 Esa 1.12 b Rom. 6.13 17. c Psal 40.8 119.6 80. Mat. 5.20 Jam. 2.10 d H. s 7.14 Zach. 7.5 6 Rom. 14.6 Joh. 5.30 John 7.18 Esay 10.7 Mat. 6.6 Q. Is there any worthinesse in our works to procure to us Gods favour A. None at all our best works done before we be regenerate are utterly corrupt and cannot please God The evill tree cannot bring forth good fruit Joh. 3.6 Rom. 8.8 Mat. 7.18 Phil. 3.8 Q. But what say you of the workes we performe after regeneration A. Though God in mercy for Christs sake doe accept of our endeavours to please him yet our very best workes are stained with many imperfections And therefore have need of forgivenesse c. Luk. 17.10 Rom. 7.21 Esa 64.6 Tit. 3.5 Mat. 20.10 14. When the Scripture speaks of rewarding our workes Mat. 10.42 and Mat. 6.6 It is a reward of Grace not of Debt Neh. 13.22 Remember me and spare me The rewards of God must needs be full of Grace seeing he promiseth to reward Begging and praying and a cup of cold water which is of little worth Q. It seems then that God doth receive us into his favour without any consideration of our works of his meer mercy in Christ alone imputing his righteousnesse unto us and not our frailties A. It is most true for we are saved by faith in Christ without the works of the Law Rom. 3.28 Rom. 11.6 Q. But doth justification by faith make men despisers of good duties contained in Gods Law A. By no means for faith is the very life and root of all good works And the reason why many doe not performe works of obedience is because they have not faith Heb. 11.7 8 17 25 27. Iam. 2.22 Luk. 17.3 5. Esay 7.4 12. 1 Pet. 3.5 The more faith Faith answers all objections it removeth carnall reasoning and so brings the heart to obey in all things the more obedience Gal. 5.6 Q. The Law being the rule of obedience we ought to be carefull to know it and to lead our lives by it A. Yes For both he that knows it not and he that obeyes it not shall be beaten with many stripes Luk. 12.47 48. Q. How many Commandments be there A. Ten Ten words Deut. 4.13 Q. What sorts of duties doth the Law of God containe A. Two sorts 1. Duties that immediatly concern Gods Glory and Worship in the foure first precepts 2. And duties that more immediately respect our Neighbours good in the six last Mar. 12.29 30 31 33. Mat. 22.37 40. Thus are the Ten Commandments divided Q. What motives are there to stir us up to the keeping of this Law in all the points of it A. Two 1. Because God is the Law-giver God spake every one of those words and where God hath a voyce to speake we ought to have an eare to heare and an heart to obey God sets his stamp upon them all Iam. 4.12 Heb. 2.2 Rom 7.12 The law is holy just and good Q. Why secondly must we carry an awfull regard to this Law A. Because he is Jehovah our God our maker our deliverer and therefore may justly challenge obedience at his creatures hands Love and feare ought to keep us in obedience Mal. 1.6 Es 5.4 Deut. 10.12 Jer. 2.9 13 19. Mic. 6.3 Esay 43.23 24. Deut. 7.6 11. Deut. 26.17 19. the strongest and sweetest bond of obedience is that relation between God and us CAP. XXIX Q. THe first Table of the Law of God containes foure Commandments What is the summe and substance of it A. The first Table of the Law teacheth and requireth 1. That I cleave unto God with my heart 2. That I worship him with my
servants it must have an institution from God else we sin against God who alone hath power to give any grace and to appoint the means of obtaining it The first Commandment requires that we worship the only true God and that we doe not give his properties and honour to another the second Commandment prescribes the true manner of worshipping that true God Q. Well then here we are forbidden to worship God after our own wits and wils What is particularly forbiden in this kind 1. Images for religious use A. 1. The making of any Image either of God or of any Creature for religious use that is to help us in our worshipping of God The likenesse and representation of any thing whatsoever is a false help und meane of worship Exod. 32.1 4. Ps 106.20 Jer. 10.8 14 15. Ezek. 8.10 Jer. 50.38 Jer. 51.17 18 19. Q. Is it unlawfull to make an Image of the Trinity or of any Person in the Godhead Pictures of God unlawfull A. It is utterly unlawfull and a great dishonour to figure the incorruptible God by the shape of a base and corruptible man or bird or other creature Deut. 4.15 16 17 18. Rom. 1.23 Act. 17.24 29 Esa 40.15 18 19. Hab. 2.8 It abuseth our understandings the party thinks there is some good in an Image else he would not make it and that 's a lie He lieth that shews me a Toad and saies it is the picture of an Angel so c. All the pictures of Christ in the flesh as that on Christ on the Crosse and resurrection are lies false in their representations and false in the conceit of any good by them Q. Is it unlowfull to make the image of a man or Angell or other creature to help us in the worship of the Creator A. It is utterly unlawfull to make or to have the likenesse of any creature for religious use to serve God thereby in at or before it To think that by doing any part of worship before an Image one shall please God the better or that it will be a mean of good unto us this is to rob God of his due What promise of Gods presence audience or acceptance before an Image do you find in the whole Scripture c. Esay 42.8 2 Kings 18.4 1 Ioh. 5.21 Rev. 9.20 Ezek. 8.10 11. Act. 7.43 1 Chron. 14.12 Deut. 27.15 the congregation are bound to curse this man v. 26. Thou shalt not bow downe to them nor serve them 2. All outward respect done to Images vid. Catechis Rom. part 3. c. 2. Q. What is forbidden in those words A. 2. We are forbidden to give any honour or outward reverence to any Image as to come before it to make our prayers to bow the knee to put off the cap or to shew any token or reverence unto it It is a cursed thing to doe any honour to an Image in word by speaking favourable of it or in deed as to put off the hat to bow the knee to give money and offerings for the maintenance of it or to be at the feasts held in honour of the creatures c. 1 King 19.18 Hos 13.2 1 Cor. 9.7 10. with 1 Cor. 10 14 20 21. Dan. 3.5 11 18. Exod 32.5 6. Ezek. 18.6 Judg. 6.31 Esay 66.3 2 Chr. 25.14 we must not kisse the Calves nor blesse an Idoll Q. What thirdly is here forbidden 3. All helping forward of Idolatry A. All outward service tending to the honour worship and service of Saints Angels Images or any other creature whatsoever As the building of Temples dedicating of Daies Altars Garments Priests Feasts to them and raising of money for the maintenance thereof Hos 8.14 Hos 10.1 2. 1 King 12.32 33. Esay 46.6 Exod. 32.2 Q. Under this grosse sinne of making and worshiping of Images are condemned all other superstitious corruptings of Gods worship without an Image Now How is Gods worship corrupted without an Image A. By will-worship that is all such means and manner of divine worship 4. Will-worship humane traditions as is not prescribed by God but brought in by man It is will-worship to observe what God hath not commanded and to forbeare what God hath not forbidden for conscience sake as going to God by Saints worshiping of Angels vowes of continency placing of holinesse in meats daies garments and places Lastly the inventing or using of New Sacraments as the Popish Masse and the five new Sacraments Adoration of the Altar and of the consecrated Elements of Bread and Wine together with all religious Ceremonies and Rites in and about the worship of God wherein is placed any holinesse vertue necessity or efficacy All such manners and formes of worship be obhorred of the Lord. Col. 2.18 21. 23. 2 Chron. 28.3.4 1 King 12.33 Ier. 19.5 Q. Why are such things unlawfull A. Because they be imposed or taken up for Conscience sake made the matter of Gods worship according to the Traditions and Commandements of men without any Authority of God Mat. 15.9 20. Esay 29.13 Mar. 7.4 7. Act. 17.25 To place holinesse or sin or duty in any invention and ordinances of Men is a superstition of deluded and seduced soules Q. What is the thing commanded in this precept A. That we worship God with a pure worship that is by those meanes and in that manner as God himselfe hath prescribed as hath been shewed in the first question Tell me next Q. What be the chiefe Parts of Gods outward worship under the New Testament A. They be foure 1. The a Preaching and hearing of the Word 2ly The exercise b of Prayer publique and private 3ly The c administration of the Sacraments 4ly And singing of d Psalmes a Act. 2.42 Luk. 4.16 Act 13.15 b 1 Tim. 2.1 8. Act. 16.13 16. 1 Cor. 1 2. c 1 Cor. 11.23 d For singing of Psalmes read 1 Chron. 16.7 9. Act 16.25 1 Cor. 14.26 with 1 Chron. 25.3 Col. 3.16 Q. In what manner must this worship of God be performed A. First for the inward man Care of the inward man in Gods worship each part of Gods worship must pe performed 1. In a faith with feeling affection b 2. And with a cleane heart 3. Not c resting in the work done but desiring to please God and expecting a blessing by them a Rom. 14.23 2 Chron. 17.6 Psal 63.1 2. Psa 84.2 6. b Ezek. 33.31 32. Mat. 15.8 Ezek 14.3 Psal 50.16 Esay 1.11 Job 16.17 c Ier. 7.4 10 11. Hos 7.14 Zach. 7.5 Mal. 1.7 8 13 14. Mal 3.14 1 Pet 2.2 Exercises of Religion must be performed not only as a duty but as a means of grace Q. How must Gods worship and service be performed by the outward man A. With such humility and reverence And of the outward man as becomes people that have to doe with an holy Lord God Heb. 12.28 29. 1 Cor. 11.22 28 29. Act. 20.9 It is a sin either to disuse or to neglect the outward worship of God or to
performe the same carelesly Reverend Gestures of the Body as Kneeling Bowing lifting up of Hands and Eyes putting off the Hat c. are forbidden to be given to an Image therefore they are commanded to be given unto God 1 Cor. 15 13. 2 Sam. 6.3 7 8. Q. What duty is here required as an helpe to further the outward worship of God A. We must provide all such means by which the worship of God may be erected defended and maintained Mal. 1.10 1 Cor. 9.13 14. We must pleade for Religion and be at cost for it take away Arts Tongues Schooles Colledges and Maintenance you will soon have no preaching nor any worship of God Helping service is forbidden to Images bur required for Gods Worship Q. Why should we be so carefull to avoid Images and Will-worship A. Because such persons be indeed haters of God however they say they doe it with good intentions and in greater honour and reverence to God As the unchast Wife doth not love her husband what ere she professe Prov. 6.34 35. Hos 2.2 13. 2 Chron. 19 3. Esay 30.1 God will visit this iniquity of the Fathers upon the Children to the third and fourth generation of them that Hate him CAP. XXXI Of the third Commandement Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vaine c. Q. WHat is the drift of this third Commandement A. To provide for the glorifying of Gods great name in our tongue and doings that we so behave our selves as God in all things may be glorified This Commandement directs us to an holy use of all Religion and of every thing upon which God hath set his name 1 Pet. 4.11 Levit. 10.3 Joh. 2.16 Ezek. 22.26 Mal 1.13 Ezek. 8.12 Ezek. 18.2 19. Deut. 28.58 Mat. 5.16 Mat. 6.9 Joh. 11.4 Joh. 15.8 Gods name is taken in vain either In an Oath Or Without an Oath Q. How many waies is it taken in vain in an Oath A. Foure 1. By vain and needlesse and customary swearing in mens common talk Oaths cannot come unawares from a gratious heart much lesse ordinarily Eccles 9.2 Iam. 3.12 Mat. 5.34.37 Ier. 6.7 Q. How secondly A. By false swearing as when we a affirme a falshood or deny and conceal the truth b or falsifie what we have promised by oath This is called perjury a Zach. 5.4 Mal. 3.5 Lev. 5.1 Zach 8. 16 17. b Psal 15.4 Ezek. 17.16 18. with Judg 9.20 56 57. 2 Sam. 21.1 7. with Josh 9.15 Men are perjured when they goe from what they have promised by Oath as well as when they swear an untruth Q. How thirdly A. By wicked swearing that is when by an oath or vow we bind our selves to doe evill to doe any thing against charity piety justice duty As that I will not come to such a mans house or that I will be revenged on him Also all sinfull combinations Covenants and Oaths to hide evill or to set up any pretended good contrary to Authority Law and duty or contrary to any former Oaths and Protestations All this is wicked swearing for Gods ordinance must not be a bond of iniquity 1 King 19.2 Act. 23.12 1 Sam 25.22 Hos 10.2 3 4. See Iunius Diodate in loc Q. How fourthly do men take Gods name in vaine in an Oath A What they sweare by the creatures as many doe by their Faith and Troth by the Masse by their Drink or as I live c. vainly customarily or in passion Mat. 5.33 34. Jam 5.12 For these things men are damned Amos 8.14 Zeph. 1.5 Esa 45.23 Q. But is it not lawfull to swear before a Magistrate for the maintenance of truth justice and peace among men Three conditions in an Oath A. Yes First provided that we swear in truth the thing sworne or vowed must be a knowne truth Secondly in judgement as becomes a wise Christian Thirdly in righteousnesse not to the hurt of another Jer. 4.2 Exod 22. 10 11. Q. Is it not lawfull to make a vow and promissory Oath whereby we bind our selves to God to perform the thing that is gone out of our mouthes A. Yes it is with these two conditions Of a vow First that the thing vowed promised be lawfull to us and within our power and callings to performe Else we take Gods name in vain if we bind our selves to doe that which is not in our Power or not lawfull for us in our places to performe And therefore to vow single life absolute and blind obedience to superiours as Popish Priests doe or to vow any thing against our duty callings former Vowes and Oathes they be all unlawfull and to be broken Num. 30.3 Jer. 44.25 Psal 24 4. Q. What second condition is required in a vow and solemne protestation A. Because all lawfull Vowes must be performed therefore we should foresee and consider how meet lawfull and profitable the Oath will be before we swear that so we may safely performe our vowes Our promissory Oaths must be with much caution and condition It is a sinne not to performe a lawfull Vow Josh 9.14 15. 1 Sam. 14.44 Jâ—sh 2.19 Gen. 24.5 Judg. 11.31 a rash vow Q. How is Gods name taken in vaine without an oath A. First by foolish light unreverent speaking of Gods a Will Titles and Attributes or of his b Word and c works As in foolish admirations O Lord O sweet Jesus Lord have mercy upon us I never saw the like Secondly When gamesters thank God for their good luck Thirdly when men jest with Scripture-phrases Fourthly when men speake reproachfully of Gods decrees as if I be predestinated I shall be saved if not I shall be damned doe what I can c. a Rom. 9.19 20. b Joh. 6.60 Jer. 23.34 Act. 17. 32. c Gen. 4.24 Mar. 3.22 29 30. Esay 36.20 Mic. 3.11 Zach. 11.5 Q. How secondly without an oath A. When men have cursings and imprecations in their mouthes As a pox or a plague on thee the Devill take thee c. It is a sinne to wish a curse to our selves or others as God damne me would I were hanged c. 1 Sam. 17.43 2 Sam 16.7 Q. How thirdly A. When we apply the name Jesus or any other name of God or any sentence of Scripture to Charmes sorcery or other supernaturall uses As to drive away Devils to doe cures to sanctifie creatures not sanctified by God as to baptize Bels c. this is a false application of Gods Word Act. 19.13 Q. How fourthly A. When men goe about to imitate the miraculous and extraordinary workes of Christ and the Apostles As the Popish exorcisme ex tempore Prophecying of men called and ungifted laying on of hands to give the Holy Ghost to make empty signes without effects following c. This is a misapplication of Gods power without promise or warrant exposing of Religion to contempt and a taking of Gods name in vaine Act. 19.13 Act. 8.18 19. 1 Cor. 14.31 32. Q. How fiftly is Gods name taken in vain